Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum was consulted by Jurgen Klopp before the Reds completed the deal to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton .
The Dutchman, who moved to Anfield back in 2016, has revealed that prior to signing for the club, Klopp asked him about Van Dijk and is not surprised with his compatriot's success.
In fact, the former Newcastle man encouraged his manager to pursue to defender.
Van Dijk signed for Liverpool in January last year and has since become one of the world's best defenders. In his first full season last term, the 28-year-old helped lead the club to Champions League success.
Whilst on international duty Wijnaldum spoke to Goal and said he was unsurprised with his teammates success: “Before I even joined Liverpool I had a meeting with Jurgen and during our talks he asked me about Virgil van Dijk.”
“I had always rated Virgil very highly and my exact words to Jurgen were, ‘He is going to make the defence a lot better’.
“So I was not surprised when Virgil won the UEFA Best Player award ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo .
"I actually expected him to win it.
“Virgil has had a blinder of a season and has been so successful. Nothing about him surprises me any more.”
The Dutch international captain received the PFA Player of the Year award last season before he won UEFA's Men's Player of the Year and Best Defender awards ahead of this generations world class talent.
Van Dijk has made 78 appearances in all competitions since he signed a five-year contract last January.
Since his signing, Liverpool's defence has been a solid unit and the club are currently on a record 13-game winning run.
